Design: Longitudinal, descriptive study. Setting: An urban comprehensive cancer center in the northeastern United States. Sample: 218 patients with cancer of the esophagus undergoing esophagectomy. Methods: Symptoms were assessed by self-report before surgery, at the first postoperative visit, and...

Purpose/Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of senior peer counseling by telephone for supplemental psychosocial support of older women after breast cancer surgery. Design: Experimental, randomized block, longitudinal. Setting: A community-based senior service agency and a community hospital-based...

Patient fears are an ever-present factor of patient care, and addressing those fears is a responsibility of the healthcare provider. One such fear may be of tumor cell dissemination secondary to surgical interventions. Preparing for such discussions will allow the healthcare provider to speak with...

Dissemination secondary to surgical interventions is an issue that arises in conversations between patients and providers prior to breast biopsy. Research supports needle biopsies over incisional or excisional biopsies in most situations. Tumor cell dissemination is a rare occurrence. However, the...